CJ, very good points.

Ant, do you know what alloy of stainless you have?

Wow, great find - that's virtually identical to my situation!!! Even the clocking of the cracks is dead on! There are only three differences, none of which matter: 1. My block is not numbers matching 2. My block is a 454, not a 396 (both are big blocks) 3. My block is a 4-bolt main, not a 2-bolt main

I think I'd install another receptacle so I could leave both my compressor and my welder plugged in all the time

I have zero experience with TIG, but I'd be curious to see what happens if you turn up the argon some and/or use a chill block.

Thanks for the additional info, Fleet. I think we've both decided to do essentially the same thing. I emailed Crown Alloys to see what they recommended, and after clarifying a couple things with them, I had my LWS order me a pound of Crown's Royal 260 rod in 3/32" diameter. As far as I can tell...

I've been doing a LOT of reading on cast iron welding, much of it here, and these are what I figure my main options are as far as doing it myself. Buzz box Medium nickel rod, like nickel 55 High nickel rod, like nickel 99 Muggy Weld 77 MIG welder Weld with medium nickel wire, like Crown 44-30 (takes...

Hi guys, I have a big block Chevy with two cracks at the outer bolt hole of the starter mounting ear. Here are a few pics. (Note that the cracks go farther than it appears in the pics.) https://i.imgur.com/E73e1uD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ehxF4Ke.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DhvL8qL.jpg The block is at th...

How long is your stickout, and what settings are you using? What shielding gas, and what flow rate?

If you don't want to cut up your nozzle, you might get away with turning up the voltage. Check out this video for an extreme example of long stickout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd8h4iCf4TY

Thanks! I hope people won't hate me too much if I post yet another thread on cast iron welding/brazing...

Here's another wood handled option
https://www.amazon.com/LENCO-CHIPPING-H ... B008VFX9EA


I need to get myself an Estwing.

Hi, everyone! I have no formal welding training, but I'm a car guy and it's very useful to be able to weld things. I've had my MIG welder for years, but I just picked up the buzz box a couple weeks ago, so I'm looking forward to learning that process as soon as I can find some time. I've been a long...